英语两类论元倒换句辨析

On the Disparity between Swarm and Spray/Load Alternations

Levin视swarm类动词为非宾格动词,将它纳入以spray/load为代表的及物动词研究框架,其主要依据是两类动词的处所前置式均隐含某种"完彻性效应"。研究发现,两类倒换句隐含的"完彻性"具有不同性质,不能据此将其归为同类倒换句:spray/load类动词是事件性及物动词,在直接宾语位置上有一个述题;swarm类动词则过程性与状态性兼备,动态性与静态性兼容,是不及物无终性非作格动词,不能带述题。两类论元倒换句差异明显,宜区别对待。

Levin （1993） regards the Swarm verbs as unaccusatives, and treat them in the same way as the Spray/Load alternation is analyzed, mainly for the reason that a ＂holistic effect＂ is implied in the Locative-preposed pattern of the two types of verbs. However, it has been revealed that the＂holism＂ implicit in the Locative-preposed form of the two types of alternations is of different nature, and accordingly it is argued in this paper that the two alternations should not be classified under the same type merely for the superficial similarity. Specifically, Spray/Load verbs are transitive event-type alternation which has a Theme in the slot of the direct object, while the Swarm verbs, with process/dynamics and stativeness/staticness all in one, are intransitives and unergatives which take no Theme.